Just picked up an almost new 2009 XT250 last week. 1,400 miles and nary a scratch! I already added some acerbis "bark busters." Other than that it is bone stock. Unfortunately the only pic I can access right now is the cell phone pic I took after my first "dirty" ride.
It has taken a little while to adjust. My "street" bike is a MV Agusta Brutale 910s. So I was a little disappointed at first with the lack of power. I know, "what did I expect?" But just being honest here.

That was my first impression...until I got her off the highway! What a difference! This bike is an absolute dream on trails. Power is very managable (I hadn't ridden dirt in 20 years...and I'm only 37). Also, the fit is perfect for me. I'm 5'6 and 165 lbs. On my first real "off-road" experience, I followed a buddy on a Yamaha WR250 with no issues (granted, he wasn't exactly trying to shake me!). The back roads and trails of SW Virginia make this area a motorcyclists paradise. We must have hit 8 creek crossings as we rode through many miles of the VA hills.

Anyway, I thought I'd just check in and say hi. Also, I'm looking for a rear rack. Any suggestions?

OK I just put my second set of IRC GP-110s on my XT-250. The first set had 7945 miles and the front tire was badly cupped and the rear wasnt too bad. These tires are much better than the original Chinese made tires that came with the bike.

What pressure (psi) should I run these tires at for road use. When I do off road riding I do plan on lowering the psi and I have no questions about off road riding at this time.
<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-comfficeffice" /><o></o>The bike is 290 lbs and I am 200 lbs. The manual states that I should run the OEM tires at about 22 psi for the front and 25 psi for the rear. That is what I ran the first set of GP-110s at. I have been told and read that I should be running these tires at higher pressures. As stated I will be running these 100% on the road (if I go off road I will adjust the psi). The tire states on the side wall Max Load 584 lbs with Max Pressure of 36psi. So Im thinking that I have been running my tires a bil low.
<o></o>What are your thoughts on this issue? Also, where can I get some concrete info on this issue.
<o></o>http://www.revzilla.com/product/irc-gp110-streettrail-tire
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<o></o>Thanks,MEDIC

Sorry no photos but Locopostie's XT is set up just like my wife's. Same small shield and same water proof tail bag. I also made a small rack which I have bolted to the flat on the rear fender which gives a bit more room on the seat and stabilizes the load. I also changed the stock type tires for Avon Distenza's which really improved the ride and handling. We are still running the stock gearing so on the slab, it's good for about 72-75 mph. I am thinking of putting a 15t counter shaft sprocket on it which should drop the rpms at speed by about 500. However, it will likely also effect low speed or off road handling.

This past summer we did a 1800 mile light weight tour of Colorado and Utah. She on her '08 XT 250 and me on my '09 KLX250. I really like the larger gas tank on the XT. The KLX will only go about 70-75miles before reserve. Unlike the XT which will do at least 125miles. They are great little bike! In fact, I would rather have one of these for myself than my KLX. We just got back on Monday from a week of light weight touring. We did the length of the Blue Ridge Parkway and Shenandoha Natl Park.

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My wife just got a new left-over '09 XT 250, and after one afternoon of riding we think it would be better with +1t more on the front or maybe -3t less on the rear. It is realy slow in first, even the hard stuff should be ok if we gear it up a little. So question #1 Doesn't it have a 15t on the front now? Question #2 Where can you find a 16t front or a 45t rear? I can find nothing but 15t fronts and 46,47,48, rears

My wife just got a new left-over '09 XT 250, and after one afternoon of riding we think it would be better with +1t more on the front or maybe -3t less on the rear. It is realy slow in first, even the hard stuff should be ok if we gear it up a little. So question #1 Doesn't it have a 15t on the front now? Question #2 Where can you find a 16t front or a 45t rear? I can find nothing but 15t fronts and 46,47,48, rears

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I have a 45T rear - as the Oz model XT250 is different from the US model I was able to get one from a Tricker that fit. It seems a nice compromise for my riding - personally I would not go too much further than this if you are doing much offroad ...

For a front try Superior Sprockets (http://www.superiorsprockets.com/) who now do fronts including a 16T. Previously the only way to get this beast was from AFAM Japan or a after-market stockist of AFAM (normally in Europe).

Alternatively for a rear try Rebel Gears - they are excellent to deal with. They have an XT250 model on their catalogue with sizes varying from 42T up ... Be careful when you order as the sprocket from the older model XTs will not fit. An alternative is off an older style FZR400 with the 428 chain which also does fit if you can not find any other alternative ...

My only mark against the 250 is that it's a five speed. That's one of the best things about the 225. That and how suprisingly torquey the 225 is.

Jon

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If you think the 225 is torquey, you've gotta love the new 250.
That's a 250 Raptor engine in that thing and torqie is what it's all about.
The ONLY thing you'll miss about the 6th gear on the 250 is shifting one more gear.
If you look into the final drive ratios for each bike (225 vs 250) you'll see they're almost identical on top. The beauty is, the 250 pulls longer and harder through all it's gears so it doesn't need them as closely spaced as the 225 does and that's the reason the final drives are almost the same and the 250 has NO NEED for a 6th gear.
Don't judge the little bugger by it's lack of a 6th gear. You wont miss it.

Ps. The rear Disc more than makes up for that 6th gear.
You guys have me missing my 08. I shouldn't have traded it in on the DR; just kept it and had a higher monthly payment. (sniffle, sniffle!)

Bridgestone TW-301 front, TW-302 back. I had figured they were stock on the 2010 XT250 but idk. I bought it from a dealer and it had 2 miles on it when I got it so I don't think they would have changed the tires.

Went for a short ride today. Figured out I have an oval melon and my new Shoei Multitec hurts after 30-40 minutes of wearing it! Damn this big head of mine!

Quick run down to the lake. About froze my nads off on the ride home. Mesh jacket works really great letting air in. Sadly for me the air is cooold right now. Gonna need to buy another jacket if I want to ride much more before Spring!

12F!!! Now I feel kind of bad complaining about the cold here in Austin. Yeah I was a little worried about the tires since I had heard a lot of bad stuff about Sheng Chin's but when I drove up to the dealer (about 100 miles each way) I was happy to see the Bridgestones on there. I had been eyeballing the IRC GP-1's in case I needed to buy some new tires, and may still try those out when the stockers are worn out. http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com/2/29/393/11575/ITEM/IRC-GP-1-Dual-Sport-Rear-Tire.aspx

Btw I really like that fanny pack you use as a tank bag. I was looking for something similar but finally ended up ordering a Wolfman Express tank bag. I'm hoping it works out alright on the XT. Got a pretty good deal on it at Motostrano for $110.39 shipped.

I've got a 2008 XT250 and I live at 6500 ft. The bike seems really rich and the condition gets worse when I go over passes sometimes up to 8000 or 9000 ft. I pulled the air cleaner out to see if it made any difference and it made a noticeable difference. The bike ran much better.

When I look in the parts book they only list 1 jet size for XT250s. I've ordered a jet kit off ebay but don't really know what it consists of.

Does anyone have experience rejetting one of these carbs? Any suggestions on sizes, main jet only or main and pilot both? Lower the needle?